Friday, March 1 is the day when parents find out if their child got into their preferred secondary school.

Figures for Nottingham city show that 86 percent got their preferred choice and elsewhere across Nottinghamshire, 92 percent have secured their first choice.

If you are happy with the school place all you need to do is confirm it.

However, those who are not happy with the offer can lodge an appeal.

The school admission appeals process means parents can appeal for any of the schools named in their child’s application.

If you do not wish to accept an offer of a school place, either because your circumstances have changed or you are unhappy with the alternative offer, parents should contact the school directly before the deadline of March 28.

Rather than risk having no place at all, parents can still appeal even after they have accepted the school place that was offered.

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How to lodge an appeal

The decision letter will give parents details about how to lodge an appeal.

If your child has been refused a place, their name will be placed on a waiting list and they have the right of appeal to an admissions appeal panel, which is independent of the admissions authority.

Parents can also make additional preferences. If you appeal for a place at a school, the offer made is not affected – you do not risk that place on the grounds that you have appealed elsewhere.

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Need or an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) cannot appeal through this process and must appeal through the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.

(Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

How does an appeal work?

The appeals process is run by the Education Appeals Team within the Democratic Services Team, which is a separate department to and independent of the Admissions Teams within the council.

Their appeal will be heard by an appeal panel, which parents can attend and tell the appeal panel why they would like a place for their child at their preferred school.

The appeal panel will look at how the places at the school were given and why the child could not be offered a place including any relevant law (the admission authority’s case). The appeal panel will also consider the family's individual circumstances.